MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - DEAD RECKONING, PART ONE REVIEW
Somehow and against all odds, since the unique but flawed M:I:2 where Anthony Hopkins uttered those words to Ethan Hunt, Tom Cruise has succeeded in the difficult-to-impossible challenge of not only maintaining, but actually improving upon, this action-packed franchise.
After the first four instalments saw a different director at the helm every time, the safe and secure footing of Christopher McQuarrie has allowed the series to bed into a tried and tested formula: A core team of agents on an impossible mission travel through exotic locations delivering an entertaining blend of espionage and action. Normally capped off with a death-defying stunt by Cruise.
Their job this time, if they choose to accept it (and let's face it, they never do), is to locate a deadly new weapon that threatens all of humanity before it gets into the hands of the wrong people. With the fate of the world at stake and sinister forces from Ethan's past closing in, a deadly race around the world starts. When confronted with a mysterious, all-powerful adversary, Ethan is forced to ponder that nothing is more important than his purpose - not even the lives of people he loves the most.
For the audience to truly invest in the adventure, they must believe that there is a chance, however slim, that they might not be able to achieve their objective. That there is a price to pay for your success, and we are not just talking about Tom Cruise’s broken ankle while filming Fallout. The franchise has achieved this, not only through the physicality of its action and stunt work, but from proving time and time again that members of the IMF are expendable and that no one, besides Hunt perhaps, is safe.
The ever-changing core crew necessitates the ongoing search for fresh recruits, and this episode introduces two strong new characters played by Hayley Atwell and Pom Klementieff.
In particular, Atwell is an excellent addition to the cast. In her first moment with Cruise, she serves as the ideal counterbalance to Hunt. She gives off the same vibe as Rebecca Ferguson in Rogue Nation. Her character is refreshing in that she is not a super spy, but a thief and pickpocket. A really good one, to be sure, but that is where her abilities begin. She can't fight or drive effectively, but she learns on the go and grows as the action heats up.
There is also a LOT of action. Despite the film's nearly three-hour runtime, McQuarrie maintains pace by seamlessly transitioning from thrilling set piece to thrilling set piece. Ultimately resulting in several fights and murder aboard the Orient Express. The Spanish Steps in Rome have had a rough Summer because to this and Fast X.
It sets up Ethan Hunt versus renegade AI "The Entity" in the film. In actuality, one could argue that the underlying conflict is between Tom Cruise and the modern filmmaking technique. If anything can be done in camera, he believes it should be done in camera. Only employing effects to do what cannot be done safely or physically... which isn't much when it comes to Cruise.
Movies are becoming too reliant on CGI and digital effects, to the point where it is potentially damaging the product. Cruise is still fighting for the old ways. Take Indiana Jones and the Dial Of Destiny for example. A film which begins with a huge action set piece where the central character is a digitally de-aged Harrison Ford and it immediately sends audiences into the uncanny valley.
Compare it to John Wick: Chapter 4 or this film where the audience can see that it is Keanu or Tom performing the majority of the stunts. It allows for a greater connection to the actor and character. Ultimately it doesn’t quite match the dizzying heights of Fallout, in part to it being part of a bigger story. However, following Top Gun: Maverick, it is another huge win in Cruise’s seemingly one man crusade to save cinema.